Raymond Skuse, a former state assemblyman who went on to build NYSUT’s legislative department into a formidable lobbying force in Albany, died Nov. 25. He was 87. Skuse, who retired in 1998 after 27 years as NYSUT’s principal lobbyist, was instrumental in securing increased pension benefits and pushing through the Triborough Amendment, which requires terms of an expired contract to continue until a new agreement is reached.