If a sentence is past simple (record speech), and implies a constant fact. Would the fact be in present simple or past? Such as the following two sentences:
she told her students the Earth revolves./revolved around the Sun once a year.
She opined that San Francisco had/has the most beautiful views of any city in the United States.
The answer is: it depends. She told her students the Earth revolves around the Sun once a year. [it is a general idea, a scientific fact].
She told her students that the period was finished. [not a general proposition, finished action]
She opined that San Francisco has the most beautiful views of any US city. [a general proposition]
She opined that San Francisco had the most beautiful views of any US city until an earthquake destroyed it. [past event]
