The short of it: Joss doesn't know where to go next with Cordy, so her role's been minimized. She'll eventually wake up, but she's done as a regular. He says it has nothing to do with Spike v. the budget, and that he and she are on good terms.
And now, my vague Oscar nom. picks: PICTURE: Cold Mountain The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Mystic River The House of Sand & Fog Lost In Translation DIRECTOR: